The top 8 election issues

Citizens of Fiji state the main issues they want addressed by the elected government come September. Picture: FILE

TODAY, The Fiji Times wraps up the eight biggest election issues raised by voters in the country.

The top issues were those which directly impact the lives of the average Fijian — issues such as unemployment, cost of living and poverty rates.

People need assistance and reassurance that their futures are secure, it revealed.

The poll was conducted in urban and peri-urban areas of Suva, Nasinu, Lami, Nausori, Nadi, Lautoka and Ba via personal interviews between May 19 and May 22.

Unemployment

The majority mentioned it as an issue, half say it's an issue affecting people like them, and 30 per cent believe it's the biggest issue facing the nation. It is the major election issue for all demographic groups surveyed, but more particularly for younger people.

Cost of living

The high living cost was the second most frequent answer for all three "issues" questions asked. Forty-seven per cent say it's one of the biggest issues facing people like them. It was mentioned more in the West than in the Central Division, and was mentioned less frequently by those in the 18 to 24-year age group.

Poverty

Poverty is seen as a bigger issue for the nation by females than males, and shows up more in the West. Younger people were twice as likely to say it's the biggest issue facing the nation than older people, but the older group are more likely to say it is an issue facing people like them. Responses were similar across all demographic groups.

Economy

One third of men and a quarter of women surveyed said the economy is important for the election. At least one in four people across all demographic groups raised the issue.

Crime

Crime cuts across all demographic groups, singled out as an election issue by 23 per cent overall. There is an age relationship here, mentioned by 30 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 years, reducing to 20 per cent in the 45-plus age group.

Education

This was more likely to be mentioned by younger people (30 per cent for those aged 18 to 24) than for the older ages (15 per cent for those over 45 years). It was mentioned as an election issue more in the Central Division.

Health

Seventeen per cent overall, and at least one in eight people across all demographic groups claimed health issues are important in the election. Older people mentioned it twice as often as the youngest age groups.

Land

Seventeen per cent said questions about land were of importance to the election, and this is mentioned by at least one in seven people across all demographic groups.